Toggle clamps



Feb. 23, 1965 w. D. cocHRANE TOGGLE CLAMPS Fned sept. 18, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb- 23, 1965 w. D. cocHRANE 3,170,214

TOGGLE CLAMPS Filed sept. 18, 1961 5 sheets-sheet 2 33 Fz'ga NVENTOR Wzl/fam Cob/1ra n e BY Feb. 23, 1965 w. n. cocl-IRANE 3,170,214

TocGLE cLAMPs Filed sept. 18, 1961 5 sheets-sheet s W/'l/ Do f77/'e Coe/7 rane,

Feb. 23, 1965 w. D. cocHRANE 3,170,214

TocGLE cLAMPs f Filed sept. 1s, 1961 5 sheets-sheet 4 /N VEN TOI? wiz/fam Downs@ 006mm@ Feb. 23, 1965 w. D. cocHRANE 3,170,214

TOGGLE cLAMPs Filed Sept. 18, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ma V MM@ f TTR/VEYS United States Patent C) 5,170,214 TOGGLE CLAMPS William Downie Cochrane, 21 Millhams St., Christchurch, Hampshire, Ensllam1-V Filed Sept. 18, 1961, Ser. No. 138,972 3 Claims. (Cl. 2li-263) This invention relates to lmodifications of toggle clamps of the kind which comprise a bodymember having means for attachment to a component or adaptor jig, a clamping member slidably mounted on said member, vand a 'toggleoperating linkage connecting Vsaid members and including pin and elongated guide means by which the clamping member moves with a rectilinear motion through a predetermined stroke.

The clamps usually have a body member which comprises a pair of horizontally spaced elongated side plates and the clamping member slides lengthwise of the side plates b'y means of pin and slot guide connections at each end. The slots are preferably formed -in the side plates and are either longitudinally aligned or are parallel and slightly o ut ofalignment. The movement imparted to the clamping member is thereby a rectilinear motion substantially along the longitudinal axis of the clamp.

In many applications of such clamps it is desirable or essential that the o'bje'ct clamped should `be removed lin the general direction ofthe longitudinal axis ofthe clamp as, for example, in the case of the hinged lids of containers where the body of the clamp is secured to the lid or the container. This -is not possible if the movement of the clamping memberis solely a rectilinear motion along the axis` of the clamp. In one embodiment of the invention of said prior specification this disadvantage was obviated by providing open slots at the front or operational end ofthe clamp of `such a length that the front pins on the clamping member were o ut of the slots at the end of the unclfamping stroke whereby the movable clamping member could be pivoted thereafter about the rear pins so as to be clear of the workto be clamped This procedure entailed two operations and re-engagement of the disconnected pin vand elongated guide means. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved toggle clamp wherein the above-mentioned disadvantage is obviated by a `single operation 'without disengagement of the pin and elongated guide means, whilst retaining a `desirable 'clamping movement in the general direction of the longitudinal axis of the clamp.

elongated guide means by which the clamping member has imparted thereto a movement having two or more differ- `ently directed components whereby the clamping mem- ,ber or a part thereof is directed away from the longitudinal axis of the clamp during its unclamping movement.

Preferably the elongated guide means comprise at least two longitudinally spaced slots in the body member cooperating with pins on the movable clamping member. Alternatively the slots may be disposed in the clamping member and the pins on the body member, or one slot may be ldisposed in the clamping member, another slot or slots being disposed in the body member. Usually a portion of each slot is straight and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the clamp,`these portions preferably being in alignment, whereby the initial portion of the unclamping movement of the clamping member is along the longitudinal axis of the clamp. Movement of the clamping member away from the longitudinal axis of the clamp is effected by portions of one or both slots inclined to said 3,170,214 Patented Feb. 23, 1965 irst portions. The inclined portions may be straight or curved. In alternative forms one or both-slots may be slightly curved throughout. In any ofthe arrangements referred to above the elongated-guide means may be iii the 4form of grooves instead of slots.'

In a preferred embodiment of 'the invention the b ody member ofthe clamp comprises -a .pair of `parallel elongated plates. Each plate has a slot at each end, the slots of one plate being laterally aligned withth'e slots of the other plate. The movable clamping member includes two elongated plates disposed on the outer sides o f the body member plates and connected by -pins which extend through each pair -of slots. The toggle mechanism is disposed between the body member plates and co-operates with the said pins.

The invention willnow be described, by way of example, with reference to lthe `accompanying drawings, `in which:

FIGURES 1 and 2 show in elevation 'a clamp vapplied to a closure member for a vat or other container, the clamping member being shown in its operative and inoperative positions respectively; FIGURE la is an end view looking on the left of FIGURE l.

FIGURES 3 and 4 show in elevation a clamp designed for gripping a sack in -a laundry trolley, the clamping member being shown in its inoperative and operative positions respectively; FIGURE Sa-is an end View looking on the right of FIGURE 3. FIGURES 5 to 8 showfragmentary perspective views of various forms of elongated guide means; and

FIGURES 9 to 13 show diagrammatically six forms of clamp having various-'arrangements of guide slots, the operative position of the vclamping member being shown by full lines, the inoperative and intermediate positions being shown by broken lines.

Referring lirstly to FIGURES 1 la and 2, there is shown a clamp applied as a means for securing a closure member to a vat or other container. The clamp cornprises a body member 1 secured to the lid -2'of the vat and aV movable clamping member 3 adapted to be :pulled by toggle mechanism 4 into clamping engagement with the underside of a flange S o n thevat. It is 'obvious that this arrangement could be reversed, the clamp body 1 being secured to the vat, the clamping member -3 'being adapted to engage ythe lid '2.

The clamp body 1 comprises a pair of parallel 'metal plates A6, each having an outwardly directed flange 7. The plates 6 are spaced apart by a plate 8 to which the flanges 7 are riveted. Each plate 6 is provided with a `closed rear slot 9. The slots V9 are laterally aligned and lie longitudinally on the longitudinal axis of the clamp. Each plate 6 has also a front slot 10V a part of which is on the same longitudinal axis as the slot 9. The slots 10 are laterally aligned and have rear portions 11 aligned with the slots 9 and front portions- 12' inclined at a steep angle to the rear portions 11. The slots 10 can take many forms as will be described with reference to FIG- URES 5 to 13 but as shown in FIGURES l and 2 the slots 10 have an open front.

The clamping member 3 comprises a pair of metal plates 13 of approximately triangular or any `other suitable `shape which lie closely against the outer sidesof Athe body plates 6 and are connected by a .pin 14 extending through the slots 9 and by a pin 15 extending through the slots 10. Each plate 13 has an extended cranked arm 16. The arms 16 converge until they meet in a boss 17, the arms and boss being shown as covered -by plastic material 18 which may be provided for `electrical insulation. The operative head of the clamping member 3 comprises the head of a screw 19' disposed in a bore of the boss 17 and threaded-ly engaged in a lnut 20 secured 3 in the bore of the boss. Flats 21 are provided at the outer end of the screw for'l adjusting the clamping pressure.

Toggle mechanism for operating the clamping member 3 consists of a link 22 comprising a pair of plates pivotally mounted on a pin 23 secured to the body plates 6, and a link 24 comprising the base of a toggle-operating arm 25 formed by a pair of plates having at the end a plastic or other suitable handle 26. The link 24 is pivotally connected to the link 22 by a pin 27 and is pivotally connected by the pin 14 to the clamping member 3.

When the operating handle is depressed until the links 22, 24 are in their dead-centre position or are slightly over dead-centre resting against a stop pin 28, the pin 14 is at the rear of the slot 9, the pin 15 is in the rear portion 11 of the slot 10 and the clamping member 3 is in its operative clamping position. As the operating handle is raised, the clamping member 3 is moved forwardly in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the clamp until the inclined slot portion 12 receives the pin 15, whereafter the clamping member continues its forward movement and has also imparted thereto a swivelling movement about the pin 14. The arrival of the pin 14 at the forward end of the slot 9 limits the travel of pin 15 to prevent the pin in this embodiment from leaving the open end of the slot portion 12. It could however, allow the arm 16 to swing right up.

In consequence of the swivelling movement the operative head 19 of the clamping member is now clear of the flange of the container, and the lid 2 may be hingedly moved or bodily lifted therefrom. In the case of small containers having a hinged lid one clamp may suiiice. In the case of detachable lids and large containers two or more clamps will be required.

Referring now to FIGURES 3, 3a and 4, there is shown a clamp adapted for gripping a sack in a laundry trolley. The clamp is similar in several respects to the clamp shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. Similar parts in the two embodiments are given like reference numerals. The clamp body 1 comprises a pair of metal plates 29 of roughly triangular form each having an outwardly and downwardly extending curved flange 30. The plates 29 are spaced apart by pins 31 and the clamp body is adapted to sit like a saddle on a tubular bar 32 on the trolley frame and is secured thereto by a girth member 33 and bolts 34. The bar 32 has a terminal clamping head 35 of wood, plastic or other suitable material.

The clamping member 3 comprises a pair of metal strips 36 which lie closely against the outer sides of the body plates 29 and are connected by pins 14 and 15 engaging within the rear slots 9 and front slots 10 respectively. A wood, plastic or other suitable clamping head 37 of hooked formation is clamped between the forward ends of the strips 36. The slot 9, as in the previous embodiment is a straight closed slot extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the clamp. The slot is closed and has a short rear portion 38 in alignment with the slot 9 and a relatively long upwardly inclined front portion 39. The slot 10 could of course, be open ended.

The toggle mechanism, as before, is disposed between the body plates and comprises links 22 and 24, the link 24 comprising the base of the toggle-operating arm 25. In this embodiment the arm is pivoted on the xed pin 23 and the link 22 is pivotally connected to the pin 14. The movement of the clamping member 3 is similar to that of the rst embodiment, the long inclined portion 39 of the front slot 10 taking the hooked clamping head 37 well clear of the clamping head in the inoperative position. The clamping pressure may be adjusted by slackening the bolts 34 and adjusting the position of the clamp body 1 on the bar 32.

FIGURES 5 to 8 show various forms of the front slot 10 which has in each case a closed rear longitudinal portion 40. The slot shown in FIGURE 5 is closed and somewhat similar to that of FIGURE 3, the r'ear portion 40 and inclined front portion 41 being of approximately equal length.

In FIGURE 6 the open front slot portion has divergent sides 42, 43. The side 42 is inclined to the rear slot portion 40 and the side 43 is substantially normal thereto. The pin 15 rides on the side 42 of the slot and is held thereagainst by a spring or springs.

The slot of FIGURE 7 is also open and its divergent mouth is formed by an extension 44 of one side of the rear slot portion 40 and by a side 45 inclined to the rear slot portion. The pin 15 is again held against the inclined side 45 by a spring or springs.

In the modification of FIGURE 8 the front slots l40 are straight longitudinal slots and the pin 15 is guided away from the longitudinal axis of the clamp by the surface 46 of a cam plate 47 secured to the clamp bodynl and disposed between its parallel plates 6. Alternatively the cam plate may be placed at one side of the clamp body 1 or a cam plate may be disposed at each side of the clamp body. As shown the cam surface 46 is curved but it may be rectilinear as in the case of the inclined slots previously illustrated.

Referring now to FIGURES 9 to 13, there are shown diagrammatically six different embodiments illustrating the movements of the clamping member under the action of various arrangements of guide slots. The operative or clamping position of the member is shown by full lines, the inoperative and intermediate positions are shown by broken 4lines and indicated by the reference 3a for the inoperative or fully advanced position and by the reference 3b or 3c for intermediate positions. The inoperative positions of the pins 14 and 15 are indicated by the references 14a and 15a.

The arrangement shown in FIGURE 9 is similar to that employed in the embodiments of FIGURES 1 to 4. It will be seen that the movement of the clamping member has two components, namely a forward movement away from the operative position along the longitudinal axis of the clamp and a combined swivelling and bodily forward movement induced by the inclined front portion of the front slot 10.

Referring to FIGURE 10, the front and rear slots are identical each having an inclined portion resulting in la secondary movement of the clamping member in which it moves without swivelling in an inclined direction away from the longitudinal axis of the clamp.

In the arrangement shown in FIGURE 1l, the rear slot 9 has an inclined front portion and the front slot 10 is straight. In this case the second component of the movement of the clamping member is a combined forward movement and swivelling movement about the pin 15 instead of the pin 14 as in FIGURE 9.

When it is desired to obtain a large swivelling movement of the clamping member each of the slots 9 and 10 is provided with an inclined front portion the inclinations extending in opposite directions as illustrated in FIGURE 12.

The arrangement of FIGURE 13 is similar to that ofA FIGURE 12 except that, in order to lengthen the stroke of the clamping member each of the slots has a front portion 48 at the end of the inclined portion which is parallel to the rear longitudinal portions of the slots.

I claim:

l. A toggle clamp including: a body, an elongated clamping jaw having a clamping surface at one end thereof, said ybody and said jaw being mounted together for relative movement therebetween, an actuating lever, a. toggle linkage, said toggle linkage comprising first and second link members, said link members being pivotally joined at their inner ends, two pin members spaced apart along said jaw and carried by said jaw, one of said pin members positioned in a rst slot in said body and theA other of said pin members positioned in a second slot in said body, each of said slots having a portiony thereofl which is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said jaw, at least one of said slots having aportion at an anglerwith said longitudinal axis, one of said toggle link members being integral with said actuating lever, the outv er end of one of said toggle link members being pivotally secured to said body, the outer end of the other of said toggle link members being pivotally secured to the pin member which is most remote from the clamping surface of the clamping jaw. v

2. The toggle clamp of claim l wherein said actuating lever is pivoted to said body.

3. The toggle clamp of claim 1 wherein said actuating lever is pivoted to said most remote pin.

Y References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,995,794 8/61 Hacking 24-248 FOREIGN PATENTS 11,152 5/01 Great Britain.

10 ROBERT c, RIoRDoN, Primary Examiner..

l THOMAS J. HICKEY, Examiner. 

1. A TOGGLE CLAMP INCLUDING: A BODY, AN ELONGATED CLAMPING JAW HAVING A CLMAPING SURFACE AT ONE END THEREOF, SAID BODY AND SAID JAW BEING MOUNTED TOGETHER FOR RELATIVE MOVEMENT THEREBETWEEN, AN ACTUATING LEVER, A TOGGLE LINKAGE, SAID TOGGLE LINKAGE COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND LINK MEMBERS, SAID LINK MEMBERS BEING PIVOTALLY JOINED AT THEIR INNER ENDS, TWO PIN MEMBERS BEING PIVOTALLY ALONG SAID JAW AND CARRIED BY SAID JAW, ONE OF SAID PIN MEMBERS POSITIONED IN A FIRST SLOT IN SAID BODY AND THE OTHER OF SAID PIN MEMBERS POSITIONED IN A SECOND SLOT IN SAID BODY, EACH OF SAID SLOTS HAVING A PORTION THEREOF WHICH IS GENERALLY PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID JAW, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID SLOTS HAVING A PORTION AT AN ANGLE WITH SAID LONGITUDINAL AXIS, ONE OF SAID TOGGLE LINK MEMBERS BEING INTEGRAL WITH SAID ACTUATING LEVER, THE OUTER END OF ONE OF SAID TOGGLE LINK MEMBERS BEING PIVOTALLY SECURED TO SAID BODY, THE OUTER END OF THE OTHER OF SAID 